Method and System for Reclaiming Unused Resources in a Networked Application Environment

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: generating, by a first device, a notification that a resource within a distributed computing environment is to be reclaimed when an expiration period ends, wherein the reclaimed resource is eligible for use by any processing device included in a set of devices within the distributed computing environment; determining, by the first device, whether the resource is claimed for use by a first processing device included in the set of devices; and performing, by the first device, an operation to reclaim the resource when the resource is unclaimed by the first processing device at the end of the expiration period.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resource has a classification, and a reclamation rule specifies a fixed expiration period for the classification.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying, based on a user name, the first processing device as a candidate owner for the resource.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the resource can be reclaimed based on a date on which the resource was last accessed.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, and further comprising determining that the resource can be reclaimed based on a software version number associated with the resource.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, by the first device from the first processing device, a request to extend the expiration period, and, in response to the request, extending the expiration period that the resource is claimed by the first processing device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, a user account, or a storage volume.

8. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: generating, by a first device, a notification that a resource within a distributed computing environment is to be reclaimed when an expiration period ends, wherein the reclaimed resource is eligible for user by any processing device included in a set of devices within the distributed computing environment; determining, by the first device, whether the resource is claimed for use by a first processing device included in the set of devices; and performing, by the first device, an operation to reclaim the resource when the resource is unclaimed by the first processing device at the end of the expiration period.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , wherein the resource has a classification, and a reclamation rule specifies a fixed expiration period for the classification.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , further comprising identifying, based on a user name, the first processing device as a candidate owner for the resource.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , further comprising determining that the resource can be reclaimed based on a date on which the resource was last accessed.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, and further comprising determining that the resource can be reclaimed based on a software version number associated with the resource.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , further comprising: receiving, by the first device from the first processing device, a request to extend the expiration period, and, in response to the request, extending the expiration period that the resource is claimed by the first processing device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 8 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, a user account, or a storage volume.

15. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor and including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: generate, by a first device, a notification that a resource within a distributed computing environment is to be reclaimed when an expiration period ends wherein the reclaimed resource is eligible for use by any processing device included in a set of devices within the distributed computing environment; determine, by the first device, whether the resource is claimed for use by a first processing device included in the set of devices; and perform, by the first device, an operation to reclaim the resource when the resource is unclaimed by the first processing device at the end of the expiration period.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the resource has a classification, and a reclamation rule specifies a fixed expiration period for the classification.

17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify, based on a user name, the first processing device as a candidate owner for the resource.

18. The system of claim 15 , further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine that the resource can be reclaimed based on a date on which the resource was last accessed.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, and further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine that the resource can be reclaimed based on a software version number associated with the resource.

20. The system of claim 15 , further including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, by the first device from the first processing device, a request to extend the expiration period, and, in response to the request, extend the expiration period that the resource is claimed by the first processing device.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the resource comprises an instance of a software application, a user account, or a storage volume.